Maintaining a striking degree of diplomatic solidarity, European nations have stood together against Donald Trump’s push for warships at the Strait of Hormuz, opting unanimously for diplomatic solutions over military engagement. Trump had argued that the strait’s closure represented a shared challenge for all nations dependent on its energy trade and had threatened NATO with a difficult future if allies failed to respond. European governments answered with consistent logic: the conflict was not their responsibility, and military deployment without a clear plan was not an appropriate response.
Germany’s leaders were the most direct. Chancellor Friedrich Merz confirmed that Germany would play no military role in the conflict, and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius publicly challenged the coherence of Trump’s request, questioning what European ships could realistically achieve where American naval superiority had already proven insufficient. Merz also addressed the political objective of ending the Iranian regime, distinguishing between the desirability of that outcome and the appropriateness of the methods being used.
Britain’s Keir Starmer avoided a direct confrontation with Washington, promising to work toward a viable plan while declining to commit the UK to any specific course of action. He acknowledged the global importance of the strait and the need for broad multilateral support before any steps were taken. Trump’s expressed dissatisfaction with London did not appear to shift Starmer’s position, and the prime minister maintained his measured approach throughout.
Italy, Greece, France, Japan, and Australia each declined Trump’s request, and the EU’s foreign ministers decided not to expand the mandate of Operation Aspides. Foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas confirmed the outcome, noting the lack of appetite among member states for changing the mission’s scope. Estonia’s representative gave voice to broader European skepticism by asking for clarity on American and Israeli strategic goals.
Israel conducted fresh strikes on major Iranian cities, while Iran fired retaliatory missiles at Israel that were intercepted. Drone attacks disrupted UAE oil operations and briefly halted flights near Dubai airport. Iran rejected ceasefire proposals and warned the US against ground deployment. US military deaths reached 13, with more than 200 troops wounded, and rights groups placed the total Iranian death toll at over 1,800 people, with civilians making up the majority of victims.
